30-01-2025
Odessa Links fundraiser offers chance to win Bronco
Jan. 30—As a way to bring a little bit of Vegas to Odessa, Odessa Links is hosting a Tackling Homelessness Fundraiser featuring a Big Game Watch Party starting at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.
The evening, with a Super Bowl theme, features a 2024 Sewell Ford Bronco Raffle. The winner will drive away in a 2024 Ford Bronco, donated by Sewell Ford. Raffle tickets are $50 each, and all proceeds benefit Odessa Links' Project Hope, which provides safe housing and resources for unhoused families. You need not be present to win.
"We're going to provide a lot of Super Bowl fun things to do. We're going to provide a tailgate party, tailgate food. We're going to have a lot of snacks, popcorn and and charcuterie boards, and snack baskets on the tables. We still have tables available. It's going to be a lot of fun to get together and compete. Half of the venue, or conference room, is going to be Kansas City Chief colors, and the other half is Philadelphia Eagles. It's going to be fun. I'm for the Chiefs," Executive Director of Odessa Links Andrea Quiroz said.
They will have a friendly competition with football boards that will also be part of the fundraiser. The prizes are gift cards, Quiroz said.
For the football boards, there are 100 squares. Everybody picks one, makes a donation and at the end of the quarter, they win that amount.
Project Hope houses homeless families while they work, create a self-sufficiency plan and set their family goals together.
"When they move in, they move into an empty unit or rental house. This funding is going to help with that. This funding is going to help us get beds and moving items," Quiroz said.
They also help with food while they wait for their program's assistance to kick in.
"We help out with child care so they can get a job," Quiroz said.
She added that she had just finished paying everyone's rent and bills in the Project Hope program.
Quiroz said the Bronco is a beautiful vehicle and it's in front of the Marriott.
"We're very fortunate to have Sewell Ford donate the 2004 Ford Bronco. It's right in front, so anybody can come and look at it ... It has a QR code on there, and then you can visit us on our website, Facebook; we're kind of everywhere right now just trying to raise these funds. We were raising the funds so we can help more families. We're averaging 15 to 18 calls per week, and I can only house a certain amount of people at one time, which is 25 families. Now we need funding just" to maintain, Quiroz said.
She added that the agency is really excited about the event.
"This is our first signature fundraiser," Quiroz said.
The idea came from Mariann Bagley, president of Odessa Links' executive board of directors. Quiroz said Bagley wanted to have a Super Bowl fundraiser.
"The great thing about this event is getting the awareness of what Odessa Links and Project Hope does for our community," Quiroz said.
